Suffolk’s much heralded £145m ‘Gullwing Bridge’ – also known as the Lake Lothing Third Crossing – may well prove to be one of the region’s most iconic landmarks when it opens in 2023, but without ‘temporary works’ it would never happen!
That’s the view of HBPW’s Senior Partner, Paul Withers, the man behind the engineering design that is currently being implemented by Farrans Construction on behalf of Suffolk County Council, ensuring the future of one of Lowestoft’s most important engineering projects this decade.
“People only ever see the finished product but so much has to happen before the ribbon cutting ceremony can even take place, least of all those engineering temporary works that invariably pave the way for constructors to carry out some of the most challenging aspects of their permanent works requirements.
“In the case of the Gullwing Bridge, we have temporary works relating to: crane and piling rig platforms, roadways for Self Propelled Modular Transporters, and foundations for pre fabrication of permanent bridge spans as well as works supporting the protection of railway infrastructure.
“You might say that HBPW has a symbiotic relationship with all of its construction colleagues in general, be it Farrans or whoever else: we need them and they need us.
“However, there’s no doubt that temporary works is a specialist area, incorporating all the knowledge and standards of all the other engineering disciplines put together, and it is fair to say that HBPW is unusual as a practice in actually designing them, such are the specialism’s technical demands.”
The Gullwing will not only open a host of economic opportunities in the region, but also reduce traffic congestion in the town, regenerate the area and attract new investment for the local economy.
“The bridge has been designed by Arup and Farrans have its construction well in hand, however, no one should ever forget the incredible importance of temporary works which, in many ways, carry a greater risk than the permanent works because of the many number of unknowns that crop up mid construction.”
Client: Suffolk County Council
Contractor: Farrans Construction